The skirting is totally put in on the workshop, and I can’t imagine how a lot of a distinction it made! I knew it could make a distinction, however to my eye, this skirting has utterly modified the look of the constructing and turned it from a utilitarian shed right into a cute little constructing. It’s not fairly to “cottage” standing but, however this skirting went a great distance in direction of that purpose.
I’ve already shared fairly a bit in regards to the course of of putting in this skirting, together with merchandise used and why. For those who missed that publish, you’ll be able to learn it right here: Adding Skirting To The Workshop, Part 1
Whereas I did end the set up, the skirting isn’t utterly completed but. I nonetheless must caulk, paint, and add vents. I can’t neglect about air flow! However I needed to order vents on-line, and I do have them, however I haven’t had an opportunity to put in them but. I didn’t purchase something fancy. They’re simply easy small vents with screens to maintain pests out. These are the ones I bought (affiliate hyperlink). They’re type of small, so I’ll be placing a complete of 5 vents within the skirting across the constructing. Why 5? No motive besides that I purchased a bundle of 5. 😀
I present the entire course of, from begin to end, on this video. It’s an extended video, however I ended up with nearly 4 hours of video from this challenge that I needed to edit.
However for these of you who need the photographs, let’s get again to the method. I don’t have way more to share in the way in which of “the best way to” on this challenge. I just about shared all of that within the first publish. However I’ll share what I needed to take care of throughout this challenge. This challenge spanned a number of days, and that is Texas, so I used to be outdoors working in chilly climate, heat climate, dry climate, shiny sunshine, rain, cloudy skies, and plenty and plenty of mud. I really feel like I type of skilled a full 12 months’s price of Texas seasons throughout this single challenge.
I left off on the primary publish with me wheeling that lengthy 27-foot piece of skirting over into place by placing one finish on the furnishings dolly, and choosing up the opposite finish and dragging it simply to get it over by the constructing. And that’s the place I left it that night time. So the following morning, I obtained as much as discover that it had rained, and the realm the place I wanted to work (which additionally wanted a trench dug the whole 27-foot size) was very muddy.
However I used to be decided, so I obtained down there and began digging the ditch for the skirting to suit into.
I’m not joking after I say it was muddy! I used to be lined in mud by the point I had the ditch dug, and my board was lined in mud additionally. I used to be so glad I used to be utilizing PVC boards. They’ll simply wash proper off with a bit water. I’m unsure that wooden would have escaped this unscathed.
With my trench dug, I had one other concern. Working on my own is commonly a problem. An additional set of palms would make issues a lot simpler, however I nearly by no means have an additional set of palms to assist me. And getting the lengthy skirting board to face up all the way in which throughout by myself was seemingly unimaginable. By the point I’d get one find yourself, the opposite finish was falling over. Then the entire thing would fall over. I struggled with this for a couple of minutes earlier than I noticed a simple resolution.
I grabbed a cinderblock and used it to prop the board up within the center, and that gave me the liberty I wanted to regulate the board and get the ends in place.
As soon as it was put in, it was a multitude. However once more, it’s PVC, so mud will wash proper off.
I needed to cease working for some time as a result of it poured down rain (oh good, extra mud!), however when it stopped, the solar got here out, and I obtained again to work. Subsequent up, I labored on the ramp finish of the constructing. Earlier than I may set up the skirting right here, I needed to shovel away a lot of dust and rocks that had been left from the concrete pour. I additionally needed to dig a shallow trench on this aspect.
However I additionally had to make use of my Dremel Multi-Max to chop away this plywood backing that was put there when the concrete ramp was poured. That is one in every of my most helpful instruments. For those who don’t have one, you can find it here (affiliate hyperlink). I discover myself utilizing this instrument always. It’s a kind of issues that I purchased, after which questioned how I went so lengthy with out it.
I additionally needed to chip away on the concrete as a result of it was fairly tough and jagged and my skirting boards didn’t match up towards it. Initially, I had a couple of 1/2-inch hole, which greater than I need to caulk, and lots huge for a mouse or in all probability even a rat to get into. And sure, I used my Multi-Max for that, too. That poor blade. 😀 But it surely did the trick!
And right here’s what that aspect appeared like as soon as it was in place.
I put a vertical trim piece proper up towards the ramp, and whereas I used to be capable of shut up most of that hole, that’s nonetheless sufficiently big for bugs to get by, and probably even a mouse. I’ve learn that they’ll get by an area as small because the diameter of a pencil, so I’ll nonetheless must caulk this to shut up that hole utterly.
By the point I obtained the areas on both aspect of the ramp completed, I had misplaced daylight. Y’all, I’m so bored with the solar taking place at 5:30! I’m prepared for summer time daytime when the solar goes down at 9:00pm! However we don’t have that now, and I used to be decided to get the skirting completed earlier than closing up for the day, so I arrange my Jackery and Ring mild and stored on working. This Jackery is one in every of my finest latest purchases. I drag this factor all over to plug issues in with out having to make use of extension cords. It’s so helpful!
So I used to be on the market, nicely after darkish, working by lamp mild powered by my Jackery. And naturally, this aspect was the toughest of all. I dug this trench about 4 instances earlier than I lastly obtained that board to take a seat in there correctly. I used to be so annoyed, so drained, and so chilly, however the extra issues this gave me, the extra hardheaded and decided I obtained. There was no method I used to be going to pack it up with out ending.
And I did! I obtained the whole lot on that aspect completed proper at 9:00pm.
I had yet another element I needed to deal with the following day. And I had a phenomenal, sun-filled day to complete. I needed so as to add these nook trim items to cowl over the reduce ends of the PVC boards. I used 1″ x 2″ PVC boars for these corners, and put in the items vertically.
These will nonetheless want some caulk (as will the whole skirting), however I believe this trim offers it a cleaner and extra completed look.
Right here’s a have a look at the nook with the trim connected…
And with that remaining element in place, the skirting was utterly put in! And naturally, I completed up after we had blinding solar with a lot of shadows, so the entrance is roofed in tree shadows making it a bit laborious to see. However I nonetheless suppose you’ll be able to see how a lot of an improve that skirting made to the constructing.
I simply love how this appears. I’m going to attend to caulk and paint in order that I can do the skirting and entrance steps unexpectedly.
And right here’s a have a look at the again. I used to be capable of sweep off many of the dried mud, however it’s nonetheless fairly soiled. It’s going to take a whole lot of cleansing for me to have the ability to paint this skirting.
And right here’s a have a look at the opposite finish — the tip I did by lamp mild. 😀
This was an enormous job, for certain, and I’m so glad it’s completed! It wasn’t a tough job by any means, and I believe it could have been a lot simpler had I not needed to take care of all of that mud. But it surely’s completed now, and I can’t cease my little constructing. I’m so enthusiastic about the way it’s turning out!
If you wish to sustain with my 2025 record of residence objectives (and my progress with hyperlinks to completed tasks!) you’ll be able to see that right here: 2025 Master List of Home Goals
Addicted 2 Adorning is the place I share my DIY and adorning journey as I transform and embellish the 1948 fixer higher that my husband, Matt, and I purchased in 2013. Matt has M.S. and is unable to do bodily work, so I do nearly all of the work on the home on my own. You can learn more about me here.
